Daily Breastmilk Intake for 9-Month-Old Infants
A 9-month-old breastfed baby should receive approximately 750-800 mL (25-27 oz) of breastmilk per day, which translates to roughly 100 g/kg/day based on average infant weight. 1
Feeding Pattern at 9 Months
At 9 months, your baby is in a transitional nutritional phase where breastmilk remains the primary source of nutrition but complementary foods play an increasingly important role:
Continue breastfeeding on demand throughout the day and night, as the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends continued breastfeeding along with complementary foods as long as mutually desired by mother and child for 2 years or beyond 2, 3, 4
Breastmilk should still provide the majority of calories at this age, with complementary foods gradually increasing in proportion 2
Offer 3-4 meals and 1-2 snacks of solid foods daily, spaced every 90-120 minutes, while maintaining breastfeeding sessions 5
Critical Nutritional Considerations at 9 Months
Iron Supplementation is Essential
This is a high-risk age for iron deficiency anemia in breastfed infants 6:
Approximately 15-25% of breastfed infants develop iron deficiency by 9-12 months when they don't receive adequate iron from complementary foods 6
If your baby is not consuming adequate iron-rich foods, provide 1 mg/kg/day of iron drops 2, 6
Offer iron-fortified infant cereals at least twice daily 6
Introduce pureed meats (beef, lamb, chicken, or fish) as they provide highly bioavailable iron 6
Serve vitamin C-rich foods with meals to enhance iron absorption 6
Universal screening for anemia is recommended between 9-12 months for breastfed infants 6
Complementary Foods Should Include:
Iron-fortified cereals - two or more servings daily 2
Pureed or mashed meats introduced after 6 months 2
Vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables at least once daily, preferably with meals 2
Dairy foods (yogurt and cheese) can be offered, but cow's milk as a beverage should wait until 12 months 2, 5
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Do not limit breastfeeding - there is no maximum amount of breastmilk at this age; continue nursing on demand 2, 3
Do not introduce cow's milk as a beverage before 12 months - breastmilk remains nutritionally superior 2, 5
Do not assume breastmilk alone provides sufficient iron - by 9 months, iron stores from birth are depleted and supplementation through foods or drops is critical 6
Limit naturally sweetened juice to 4-6 oz/day maximum (though it's better to avoid juice entirely at this age) 2
Volume Variability
The daily intake of approximately 750-800 mL represents an average for exclusively or predominantly breastfed infants aged 0-12 months 1. Individual babies may consume more or less based on:
- Their size and growth rate (intake normalized to body weight averages 100.7 ± 22.7 g/kg/day) 1
- The amount and caloric density of complementary foods consumed 2
- Individual appetite and feeding patterns 7
The key is to continue responsive, on-demand breastfeeding while ensuring adequate iron intake through complementary foods or supplementation 2, 6.